NY reservists pull off OPD ahead of Afghanistan deployment

Courtesy Photo | Officers from the 389th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, an Army Reserve unit from Fort Totten, N.Y., gather outside the 1st Cavalry Division museum Jan. 16 as part of the unit's officer professional development training. The 389th is at North Fort Hood preparing for its deployment to Operation Resolute Support in Afghanistan. (Photo by 1st Lt. Ryan Stallings, 389th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion)  

NORTH FORT HOOD, TX, UNITED STATES

01.30.2015

Courtesy Story

First Army Division West

By 1st Lt. Ryan Stallings, communications operations officer
389th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion

NORTH FORT HOOD, Texas — Some Reserve Soldiers training here for deployment to Operation Resolute Support in Afghanistan took the chance to evaluate their preparedness as leaders during an officer professional development program session Jan. 16.

The 389th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion from Fort Totten, New York, started by screening the film, “We Were Soldiers,” based on the book “We Were Soldiers Once … And Young,” by retired Army Lt. Gen. Hal Moore and reporter Joseph L. Galloway, both of whom were at the battle of Battle of Ia Drang on Nov. 14, 1965.

“It’s imperative to reflect on the sacrifices of those who have come before us as we prepare to serve our country in a more robust capacity than normal,” said Lt. Col. Thomas P. Sullivan, the 389th’s battalion commander.

During a discussion after viewing the film, Sullivan’s officers volunteered how the soldiers and leaders from “We Were Soldiers” affected the execution of their duties.

“Watching Lt. Col. Moore’s interactions with his men is something I strive for,” said 1st Lt. Kevin S. Loyer, battalion service and support officer. “He disintegrates into the soldiers and once he’s one with them and gains their full trust he inspires them to heights that they couldn’t have imagined.”

The officers also connected their pending mission to help sustain the Train, Advise, Assist Command mission of ORS by visiting the 1st Cavalry Division museum, where they gathered around exhibits including memorials to fallen Soldiers, Vietnam War history, and 1st Cavalry Medal of Honor recipients.

The 389th is currently training with First Army Division West’s 479th Field Artillery Brigade, which provides post-mobilization training to units from the United States Army Reserve and Army National Guard.

• Date Taken: 01.30.2015
• Date Posted: 01.30.2015 17:11
• Story ID: 153200
• Location: NORTH FORT HOOD, TX, US